BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3714

By: Parker

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that some counties are hindered by a lack of authority to establish road illumination in areas of concern, which may prevent drivers from correctly identifying and safely navigating complex roadways. As lighting is an integral part of road safety, there have been calls to grant these counties the authority to utilize every method of safety improvement to protect those traveling on county roads. H.B. 3714 seeks to address this issue by providing for the establishment of street lights along county roads in the unincorporated area of certain counties.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3714 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 650,000 that is adjacent to two counties, each of which has a population of more than 1.8 million, to provide for, by order, the establishment of street lights along a county road in the unincorporated area of the county. Such an order may provide for, among other matters, the imposition of a fee on landowners who benefit from the street lights. The bill prohibits street lights installed by the county from being located on private property.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.